C Wonder

by Jamee Gregory

Soho street scene.

Intrigued by the colorful, full-page ads in the New York Times, for C Wonder, I take advantage of the beautiful fall weather and head to SoHo with my friend, John Mashek. Our first stop is Cipriani Downtown, where we sit outside, under the sheltering yellow canopy, warmed by heat lamps, enjoying lunch and the lively street scene. Teeming with international visitors, the diverse parade, speaking in many tongues, sounds like the United Nations. Locals with dogs of all sizes pass by, mothers with strollers, couples holding hands; the energy is electric.

Ready to shop after a delicious lunch outside at Cipriani Downtown.

Fueled with pasta, we set off to shop. I cannot pass Bogner, although no visit to the slopes is planned. I fall for a colorful grey and coral sweater and lust after a floral embroidered parka and red-plaid warm-up pants. Continuing along Spring Street to our destination, we pause at a gothic shop called Evolution, filled with sculls. The sun is shining, the temperature mild, and it feels more like Left Bank Paris than Manhattan. Scarves of many colors wrap around the necks of skinny-jeaned men and women, window-shopping.

Bogner's windows.

Bogner parkas make even the ski-phobic long for snowy peaks and mountain resorts.

Evolution's captivating skeletons.

We stop, admiring the bright, apple-green doors of C Wonder and enter the cheerful, airy space. Front and center stands a motorcycle covered in flowers. Green and white wall paper and another C Wonder sign draw our eyes down the center aisle.

Young shoppers proliferate, eyeing the bright pink vests and parkas and piles of moderately priced sweaters in colors like turquoise and magenta. Hand bags and totes cover the walls, along with brightly enameled frames, bird cages, and ginger jars. One area is filled with studded cuffs, colorful bracelets, chains and earrings.

Inset: I love the intense green doors of C Wonder, the new Manhattan destination. The arresting center aisle. A floral motorcycle for trendy biker.

Striped walls highlight colorful totes and frames.

Brightly colored and inexpensive, these clothes are fun!

Irresistible jewelry.

Great gifts can be monogrammed and customized.

Tempting stocking stuffers capture the customers. A section called Make It Yours features scarves, cosmetic bags and totes that can be monogrammed. Another area offers techie toys, like Jawbone accessories for your phone, rainbow-hued speakers, and heart-shaped waffle makers, all reasonably priced. Chic cushions, bowls and leashes for pampered pets, along with animal print cushions attract dog lovers. My favorite section, filled with patterned china in bright colors, would make anyone want to pick up a new set or send a gift to newlyweds or serve as a great house gift.

How about a heart-shaped waffle maker for Christmas?

Gifts for the pampered pooch.

Dazzling array of dishes.

Rainbow hues of cups, boxes and frames.

Sophisticated frames and tortoise bowls at amazing low prices.

Initialed cups and beautifully boxed stationery.

In this blue-and-white wallpapered area there are copies of all the chic and pricey things we find on Madison Avenue, like tortoise glasses and bowls, lacquered trays, lotus candle holders, colored glass votives with polka dots, lacquered boxes with Chinese hardware, frames in skins with silver borders, crystal globes, leather boxes in fantastic colors, scented candles all for a pittance.

In the next area there are bicycles for sale, along with helmets in neon green, plum and blue with matching water bottles in geometric patterns. A display of initialed mugs along with charming gift cards, note papers and jot pads all tempt, packaged in bold boxes. There are acid green and hot pink Wellies for a rainy day and multi-hued driving shoes in suede shades from parrot yellow to chartreuse. Patterned floors, bright rugs, shiny white and Lucite display racks make shopping fun.

Bold leather boxes, frames and containers.

Snazzy bicycles with neon helmets and geometric patterned water bottles to match.

Great gifts, from candles to candle holders.

Fanciful porcelain trays and gift cards.

Wellington boots to brighten any rainy day and suede car shoes for dashing drivers.

Striped artist's tunics with colorful details, like a printed trim, offer bang for bucks.

Sophisticated details like stair rails, lacquered molding, and unique cabinets make C Wonder worth a visit.

Even the floors are fun.

On our way back we peek at kidrobot, a Japanese toy store filled with Hello Kitty-ish objects, pass a long line waiting for sandwiches at Olive's, seeY3, filled with exotic athletic wear, and Etro, offering trendy Italian clothes, and head uptown. Our heads spin, tempted by memories of SoHo and of Chris Burch's new store, a perfect stop for gift seekers of all ages.